Peace, Locomotion
by Jacqueline Woodson
iTunes Audiobook

Genre: Realistic Fiction

APA Citation:
Woodson, J. (2009). Peace, Locomotion. New York, NY: P. P. Putnam’s Sons ISBN: 039924655X

Award: Odyssey Award (2010)

Summary: After losing both parents in a fire, Lonnie Collins Motion (Locomotion) and his sister Lili are placed in separate foster homes. While Locomotion occasionally gets to visit his sister, he worries that they will someday forget the times they spend together as children. The book is a collection of letters written by Locomotion to Lili in which he shares the memories they had together before the fire and what his life is now like living with Ms. Edna, his foster parent.

Critique:
I really enjoyed listening to this story. The reader does an excellent job of bringing Lonnie’s character to life. I like way this story presents such dynamic family relationships. Besides Locomotion and his sister who are foster children, there is a friend named Clyde who lives with his aunt and only gets to see his mother when she occasionally visits. I know that many middle school students can relate to having atypical (or perhaps this is the new normal) family structures.

Curriculum Connection:
RL.6.2. Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.

Promotional Activity:
Listening to the audio book version of Peace, Locomotion made me think of how the reader presented the book with so much excitement. I believe that making a book trailer would be a great way to entice students to read this book.